Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FZ2500

Below is a extended comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FZ2500, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and FZ2500 (20MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and FZ2500 (1") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-2 iHS was brought out 4 years prior to the FZ2500 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ2500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the XZ-2 iHS scores against the FZ2500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery and Panasonic FZ2500 Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS comes with external measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ2500 has measurements of 138mm x 102mm x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") accompanied by a weight of 915 grams (2.02 lbs).

Compare the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FZ2500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the XZ-2 iHS vs the FZ2500.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-2 iHS and FZ2500 is 85 and 53 respectively.

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-2 iHS and FZ2500.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic FZ2500 will provide you with more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older XZ-2 iHS will be behind in sensor tech.